Opening Thailand bank accounts is different, but easy, once you get the hang of it, but it can be tricky, which is why our Concierge service introduces you to a wonderful bank manager whose bank handles all of Thailand’s foreign exchange transactions. This video shows just how infuriating it can be: New money-laundering regulations require you to establish and prove permanent residence before you can open a Thai bank account. You can imagine the Catch-22… [Read More]

Here’s a handy list of Chiang Mai’s Best Coffee Shops. A wide variety of gourmet coffees and excellent locations and environments. Enjoy your coffee! One of Chiang Mai’s Best Coffee Shops is Sweet Gardens, located here. These are the GPS coordinates 18.82920° 99.00616°. It’s on the second ring road towards the north side of town. Easy to miss because you’re hurtling along the freeway and can easily miss it. Owned by a wealthy lady who uses it… [Read More]

If you’d like to retire in Thailand, here are a few ideas to get your started: 1. Subscribe to our free newsletter, Life in Thailand. 2. Download one of the books: How to Retire in Thailand (and Double Your Income), or Making Money in Thailand. 3. Check out our moving to Thailand Concierge Service: we get you visa’s, banked, insured, moved into your new home, familiar within shops, eating at great restaurants, and knowing where everything… [Read More]

Glen Rutherford’s thinking about moving to Thailand. Here’s his ‘moving to Thailand’ letter: I’ve just finished reading two of your e-books: Making Money in Thailand and How to Retire in Thailand and Double Your Income. They offer a fantastic insight into how Thai’s think differently to us. I’m drawn to Thailand because of the friendly attitude that Thai’s have and their inclusive/communal approach to others. In regards to the questions at the end of your books: What is… [Read More]

Can you live in Thailand on $4 a day? Can you make it in Thailand on $4 (100 Baht) a day? Well… sort of. Here’s a fun video of a young Brit, Alex Putnam, who’s experimenting with living on the Thai minimum wage. It’s not a lifestyle I’d recommend, but it’s an interesting exercise and it shows that living on $500/month is completely do-able: Budgeting in Thailand: A Reality Check Until I developed an outside income,… [Read More]

Thai street food safety is not mysterious. Apply this rule of thumb to eating Thai street food and save yourself embarrassment and discomfort: freshly cooked and freshly peeled food only. You’ll notice that Thais always choose their meat from the griddle – not from meat that’s already cooked and removed from the flame – because bacteria haven’t had time to multiply significantly. Do likewise, even if it means waiting a few minutes for your choice… [Read More]

Here’s a handy Thailand classified Ads directory. Each classified ad directory has its peculiar strengths and weaknesses but, somewhere, the item you’re looking for is available! If you’re concerned about delivery, ask the seller to invoice you via PayPal, giving the item name and serial number of the item she’s selling. That way, PayPal’s Buyer Protection gives you coverage. Use Thai Post Office EMS for sending items. They will not only provide packaging but also… [Read More]

In Defense of Thai Dowries BY A THAI LADY LIVING IN A TRADITIONAL THAI VILLAGE – Thai dowries are often criticized so here are a few words in their defense: I’ve often sympathized with foreign men when the word “dowry” is brought up. In the modern-day Thai culture, a dowry is still common practice in wedding ceremonies. Thai dowries typically consist of jewelry for the bride to wear on her wedding day and cash for the bride’s… [Read More]